There was a time when local clergy were feared, respected and revered. A June 12 article in the New York Daily News suggests that things have changed. The Daily reports that one Priest was killed and another injured in an apparent robbery. The crimes took place outside of Mater Misericordia in Phoenix, Arizona.

Crimes against Priests are more pervasive and more violent than in times past. In January, a California Priest was beaten to death with a wooden stake and metal pipe. The man charged with the murder had been recently released from prison.Was there ever a time when the church was exempt from crime? No. in fact, Jesus kicked the money changers out of the church for cheating the people. The Bible also says that we are to do no harm to God’s prophet.

One Christian called the incident just another sign of a world that “no longer cares. People are without hope. When hope is no longer present; boundaries disappear also. The Bible speaks to a time when even families won’t be exempt from violence. That day has come.”

Father Joseph Terra, injured during the robbery, offered last rites to his dying colleague.

There was a time when the most respected person in the neighborhood was clergy and the most revered location was the church. People would cross the street, and dare not walk in front of the church with alcohol. Is this no longer the case: if not, why?

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Stephen Thomas has been a member of Corinthian Baptist Church in Hamtramck, Michigan for the past 25 years, and teaching for 20 of those years. He is currently teaching Bible classes in Chicago, Illinois.
Stephen has a Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University. Stephen has also studied world religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Hare Krishna, and atheism.
Stephen believes that the Holy Bible is the word of God written by, inspired by God, infallible, and complete.